Our Growing Little Girl

As a first time mother, I find it amazing to witness Stella's new physical and mental developments. I am so blessed to be able to be the mother to this precious child.

She reaches for all objects, including Lindy, and brings most of them straight to the most important thing, her mouth! She cut her first tooth, the bottom left, on the day she turned 5 months. Stella has always been very strong! Just this week she can sit up for a few minutes, without assistance, before falling over. At this age, they begin to "scoot" on their bellies, she "scoots" but the opposite way, backwards!

When I was pregnant I was so excited to put the car seat in the backseat. I believe the seat was in the car ready when I was 7 months pregnant. When I would drive around town, I would daydream of our new baby being in the back seat. I would even pretend to "talk" to the baby and adjust my mirror to see our "baby"! Yes, I was very excited!! Now, it is so funny because I am not the one "talking" to Stella as we drive, but Stella is the one "talking" to me! She babbles, coos, and laughs every time we are in the car. Stella now recognizes her name; when Lucas or I call her in the car she turns her head to look up at us (she is facing backwards) , with a look on her face saying, "Yes, I'm here, can't you hear me?!"

Stella is eating very well and likes everything I have made for her (squash, apple, pear, peas, butternut squash, sweet potato, asparagus, and carrots). I love making her food for her! It is very easy, takes no time at all, and I know exactly what she is eating, all organic or locally grown, no preservatives, etc.

I am also teaching Stella sign language. The books I have read say she will not master the signs until around 8 months. The signs I am teaching her now are "more", "eat", "milk", and "please". Every time I give her the sign for "more", she kicks her feet and opens her mouth... well, I guess she does that for pretty much every bite. Like I said she takes after her Mama!

Many have told me, "This is not your child, but God's child". Lucas and I know this to be true, but I must say, God blessed us with one of his most precious children, as we are ever so grateful and humbled. I do believe Stella's late Granddaddy (my father) was holding, calming, and laughing with her in heaven before she came to us.

Mr. Randy and Mrs. Val gave Stella her first "original" Radio Flyer red wagon for Christmas. Lucas put her yellow Bumbo chair in the wagon so she could sit. We pull her down the street and she is fascinated by every mailbox we pass.

Beautiful Stella

Stella sitting by herself!

"Look at me!"

Stella's First Christmas

SNOW DAY IN BATON ROUGE. This picture was taken about 20 minutes after it started snowing. The snow was a nice treat and Lindy sure didn't know what to think of it!

Lindy trying to figure out why her ball is so cold!

Stella's First Picture with Santa. I handed her to him backwards so that she wouldn't get upset. She loved the fluff on his sleeve.

Stella got a lot of fun toys for Christmas! Here are a few of them! Mrs. Val and Mr. Randy got her the dragon on the bottom of the pictures. He opens up with lots of balls and she just loves it. There are more pics of her playing with the balls below.

THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!

Christmas morning we went to Mom's house and Marla came over for breakfast. Marla got Lucas Playboy Cologne! Just had to take a picture!

Marla gave her a Madame Alexander doll (Granny did too!) Here is Stella giving her doll a kiss!

I like all of my new toys but this green paper is the best!

Stella helped upwrap her present.

Picture with Daddy wearing one of my pretty Christmas outfits. (Thank you Rose!)

Last week we started Stella on real food. She has been having rice and oatmeal cereal for a couple weeks now. I made her sweet potatoes and green peas. She is a very good eater (must take after her Mama) and is good at using the spoon and swallowing.

These sweet potatoes are great, but I can't wait for the powdered sugar!

Yum, Green Peas!!
More peas, please.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Four Generations

Four Generations

Granny, Patti's Mom, came to visit Stella from Washington State! Granny has pictures of Stella all around her house and she said that she felt like Stella was looking at her and telling her "Come See Me!". We are so glad that she came and we all had a GREAT time! The picture below is of Four Generations. We took this picture at the restaurant "Texas de Brazil" where we had a wonderful meal.

WE MISS YOU GREAT GRANNY!

Pictures from "Mi Padres" Mexican Restaurant

Lucas and Granny

Granny came to our house for dinner. Lucas was getting his wet suit ready for the next day to get in a few pools to replace the drains (it was very cold!) SO, we just had to have him try it on for us! Here is a picture!Stella laughing in the morning!

Monmouth Plantation

Amanda and Gene gave us a night stay at Monmouth Plantation in Natchez, MS for a wedding gift. Last month, the Firmin's kept baby Stella and we went to Natchez for a wonderful night. The plantation was just beautiful and we had a GREAT time. For dinner we went to a place called "Fat Mama's" for tamale's and margarita's. Thank you again, Gene and Amanda, for a fabulous gift! We really enjoyed it!

Here is the front of Monmouth. (Lucas had to park his car in front!)

This is the door to our room.

This is the sitting area in the front of our room.

The beautiful bed!My cute husband.
Fat Mamma's Margarita

Here are some pics of Stella. She is such a happy baby!
Stella and Daddy's Morning Hairdo!

SUNDAY FUN WITH THE FIRMINS

Stella's VERY SLOW first ride on the 3wheeler

Playing drums with daddy!

Mrs. Val having fun on the swing

Lucas on the swing

Beautiful Girl

Lucas, Mrs. Val, and Stella

Stella, Lucas, and Mr. Randy

Stealing a kiss

Last Sunday we went downtown and I took this picture of our state capital.

Stella is now 4 months old and getting bigger everyday! She is such a joy! She is now eating cereal and loves it! Next month we will start her on vegetables and we are so excited to see her try new foods. She is now 15 1/2 pounds and 25 inches long. Here are some pics of Miss Blue Eyes!